Arachidonic acid metabolites as intratesticular factors controlling androgen production

Abstract

The effect of inhibitors and products of arachidonic acid metabolism on rat testicular steroidogenesis has been investigated. In the presence of indomethacin (inhibitor of cyclooxygenase) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (inhibitor of lipoxygenase), the activity of 3P‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSD) were both inhibited. The LH‐stimulated increase in secretion of testosterone and progesterone was also inhibited by indomethacin and NDGA. On the other hand, vitamin E (anti‐oxidant and inhibitor of lipoxygenase), stimulated the activity of both 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD and enhanced LH‐stimulated androgen production. The metabolites of lipoxygenase (15‐HPETE, 15‐HETE, 5‐HPETE and 5‐HETE) and cyclooxygenase (PGF2α) pathways stimulated 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD activity and enhanced the secretion of progesterone and testosterone. It is concluded that arachidonic acid matabolites are intratesticular factors which can regulate LH‐stimulated testicular steroidogenesis. Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved